Seaming textile articles

ABSTRACT

Apparatus adapted for use in seaming textile articles comprises means for supporting an article for seaming which comprises a front uncurler assembly arranged to support forward portions of the article to be seamed, and to uncurl curled edge portions of the article prior to seaming and a rear support assembly arranged to support rearward portions of the article; the portions to be seamed together extend between the uncurler assembly and the rear support assembly in the operation of the apparatus and the two assemblies are movable between rearward positions in which the article is loaded onto the support assemblies and forward positions in which the article is fed for seaming. The apparatus also comprises means for applying tension between the front and rear support assemblies and thus to the portions of the article to be seamed, and means for correcting misalignment between the edge portions to be seamed.

United States Patent 1 Deeks et al.

[ 51 Jan. 30, 1973 [54] SEAMING TEXTILE ARTICLES [73] Assignee: Detexomat Limited, High Wycombe,

Buckinghamshire, England [22] Filed: July 15,1969

[21] Appl. N0.: 841,952

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data July 26, 1968 Great Britain ..35,811/68 Oct. 15, 1968 Great Britain ..48,733/68 Jan. 20, 1969 Great Britain ..3,243/69 [52] U.S. Cl. ..l12/l21.15, 112/20, l12/12l.26 [51] Int. Cl ..D05c 9/10 [58] Field ofSearch...112/2,121.11, 121.15, 121.29, 112/16, 18,19,20, 11,203,214, 211, 86,

1,383,976 1/1921 Bouton ..1 12/19 3,104,639 9/1963 Reeberm ....l12/214 1,339,230 5/1920 Stengel ..l12/20 3,636,898 1/1972 Conner, Jr ..1 12/203 Primary ExaminerJames R. Boler Attorney-Flynn & Frishauf [57] 4 ABSTRACT Apparatus adapted for use in seaming textile articles comprises means for supporting an article for seaming which comprises a front uncurler assembly arranged to support forward portions of the article to be seamed, and to uncurl curled edge portions of the arti cle prior to seaming and a rear support assembly arranged to support rearward portions of the article; the portions to be seamed together extend between the uncurler assembly and the rear support assembly in the operation of the apparatus and the two assemblies are movable between rearward positions in which the article is loaded onto the support assemblies and forward positions in which the article is fed for seaming. The apparatus also comprises means for applying tension between the front and rear support assemblies and thus to the portions of the article to be seamed, and means for correcting misalignment between the edge portions to be seamed.

13 Claims, 19 Drawing Figures PATENTED JAN 30 I975 3.713.408 SHEET DlUF1O PATENTEDJAH 30 I975 SHEET UZUF 1O pmmmmsoma 3.713.408 sum O3UF 1o PATENTEDJMI 30 I973 SHEET 07 [1F 10 mod SEAMING TEXTILE ARTICLES This invention is concerned with improvements in or relating to seaming textile articles.

The expression textile is used herein in a broad sense to connote any material which is suitable for seaming by apparatus according to the invention.

In the seaming of a textile article, for example, a garment, e.g., a cardigan, it is required to provide seams along predetermined seam lines. Previously during seaming the textile article has been held by an operator who manually orients the garment for each predetermined seam line.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved apparatus adapted for use in seaming textile articles.

It is another object of the invention to provide an improved method of seaming a textile article.

The invention provides apparatus adapted for use in seaming textile articles comprising means for supporting an article for seaming and means for correcting in the operation of the apparatus misalignment occuring between portions of the article to be seamed together.

The invention also provides, a method of seaming a textile article using such apparatus.

The invention also provides a textile article when seamed by such a method.

The seaming means is, for example, a sewing machine; alternatively for example, the seaming means is a thermal seamer, or an adhesive applicator.

The invention also provides apparatus adapted for use in seaming textile articles comprising means for supporting an article for seaming so that the portions to be seamed together are supported in a generally upright plane along a substantial length of said portions, and seaming means adapted to provide the seam.

The invention also provides apparatus adapted for use in seaming textile articles comprising (a) means for supporting an article for seaming which comprises a front support assembly arranged to support forward portions of the article to be seamed, and a rear support assembly arranged to support rearward portions of the article, the portions to be secured together extending between the two support assemblies in the operation of the apparatus and the two support assemblies being movable between rearward positions in which in the operation of the apparatus the article is loaded onto the support assemblies and forward positions in which the article is fed for seaming, and (b) means for applying tension between the front and rear support assemblies and thus to the portions of the article to be seamed.

While the invention finds useful application with articles of knitted material such as knitted garments it is by no means restricted thereto. Other examples of textile articles include for example sheets and pillowcases.

There now follows a description, to be read with reference to the accompanying drawings, of apparatus adapted for use in seaming textile articles and embodying the invention. This description is given by way of example of the invention only and not by way of limitation thereof.

In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a diagrammatic perspective view of the apparatus;

FIG. 2 shows anotherdiagrammatic perspective view of parts of the apparatus certain parts being omitted;

FIG. 3 shows a plan view of a frame assembly of the apparatus;

FIG. 4 shows a side view corresponding to FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 shows a side view of a rear clamp assembly of the apparatus;

FIG. 6 shows a top plan view of parts of the rear clamp assembly;

FIG. 7 shows an underneath plan view of parts of the rear clamp assembly; I

FIG. 8 shows a side view of a rear channel assembly of the apparatus;

FIG. 9 shows an end view corresponding to FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 shows a side view of an uncurler assembly of the apparatus;

FIG. 11 shows an end view corresponding to FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of parts of the rear clamp assembly;

FIG. 13 shows a plan view of a top channel assembly of the apparatus;

FIG. 14 shows a side view corresponding to FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 shows an enlarged view of parts of the uncurler assembly;

FIG. 16 shows an end view in the direction of the arrow XVI on FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 shows a top plan view of an uncurler arm of the assembly;

FIG. 18 shows an end view of the uncurler arm. in the direction of the arrow XVIII on FIG. 15; and

FIG. 19 shows a section on the line XIX XIX on FIG. 15.

SUMMARY OF APPARATUS AND OPERATION The apparatus comprises a framework 2 on which is mounted a sewing machine 4, for example a cup seaming machine. The sewing machine 4 is adapted to provide a garment seam along a predetermined seam line. The apparatus also comprises means 10 for supporting the garment G (FIG. 2) during seaming so that the garment is oriented for said predetermined seam line; the supporting means 10 is mounted in the framework 2. The supporting means 10 comprises two uncurler assemblies adapted to uncurl, prior to seaming, edge portions E (FIG. 2) of the garment G which extend along the seam line and are to be seamed together. An annular conveyor turntable 500 is mounted in the framework 2 for rotation about a vertical axis.

The sewing machine 4 comprises a needle head 6, two opposed serrated, upwardly open cup-shaped feed rollers 20 which are rotatable about vertical axes and' arranged to engage the uncurled edge portions E of the garment in the nip 24 between the rollers 20 to feed the edge portions to the needle head 6 for seaming. The sewing machine 4 also comprises two further serrated rollers 8 which are rotatableabout vertical axes and arranged to engage the seamed edge portions leaving the needle head 6 to feed the seamed edge portions away from the needle head 6. A chain cutter 9 is associated with the sewing machine 4.

The supporting means 10 comprises a frame assembly 30' which is pivotable about a verticalshaft 32, the shaft being received in a bearing member 34 (FIG. 4) of the assembly 30. The assembly 30 is movable about the shaft 32 between a first operator station A on one side of the sewing machine and a second operator station B on the other side of the sewingmachine 4. In

the operation of the apparatus when the frame assembly 30 is at one operator station (e.g. B in FIG. 1) the operator at the station B loads a garment to be seamed onto the frame assembly 30 while a seam is provided in another garment previously loaded onto the assembly at the other station A; on completion of said seam the said last-mentioned garment is released from the sewing machine 4 to fall onto the turntable 500 which at this time is rotating continuously in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1. The assembly then moves about the shaft 32 to the station A for a seam to be provided in the loaded garment and for a further garment to be loaded at the station A. While a seam line is being provided in a garment the operator who loaded that garment is preparing another garment for loading. The garment falling onto the turntable 500 is for example ejected from the turntable 500 by a fixed baffle 500a to fall into e.g., a basket (not shown).

The frame assembly 30 comprises two arcuately spaced frames 40,42 (FIGS. 1 and 3) each of which comprises two vertically spaced horizontal rails 44. Mounted on each frame 40, 42 is one of the uncurler assemblies and a rear clamp assembly 82; the assemblies 80,82 of each frame are adapted to support forward and rearward portions (FIG. 2) of the edge portions E to be seamed. The assemblies 80,82 of each frame 40,42 are mounted for horizontal sliding movement along the rails 44 of the frame. A tensioning weight 200 (FIG. 8) is connected to the assembly 82 by a cord 202 (FIGS. 5 and 8) which passes over a pulley 206 behind the rails 44.

In the operation of the apparatus, when the frame as sembly is at operator station B the operator at the station B loads the garment onto the frame 40 by clamping the appropriate edge portions E of the garment in the uncurler assembly 80 of the frame 40 and in the rear clamp assembly 82, the edge portions extending between the assemblies 80,82 and the assemblies 80,82 being at this time in rearward positions. Tension is applied to the edge portions by the weight 200 acting on the rear clamp assembly 82 via the wire 202. The edge portions E are threaded through the uncurler assembly 82. When the operator has loaded the garment accurately she presses a foot pedal (not shown). When the foot pedal has been pressed and the seam in a garment previously loaded onto the other frame 42 has been completed and the garment released from the frame 42, the frame assembly is moved to the other station A, when the loaded frame 40 is aligned with the feed rolers 20 and the needle head 6 of the sewing machine 4. The appropriate uncurler assembly 80 is now moved forwardly along the rails 44, the rear clamp assembly 82 being pulled by the edge portions E of the garment. The edge portions E of the garment G are fed into the feed rollers 20 which then feed the edge portions through the needle head 6. When the uncurler assembly 80 reaches a position adjacent the feed rollers, it is restrained against further forward movement, the edge portions E then being pulled through the uncurler assembly 80 to uncurl them prior to seaming. The assembly 82 continues to be pulled along the rails 44 by the edge portions E of the garment G. The assembly 82 continues in this way along the rails 44 until the seam is almost completed and the clamp assembly 82 is close to the rollers 20. The rear clamp assembly 82 then releases the edge portions E. When the seamed edge portions have been fed completely through the rollers 8 the garment falls downwardly away from the sewing machine 4 onto the turntable 500, the chain cutter 9 cutting off the thread chain. Release of the garment G from the rear clamp assembly 82 results in the weight 200 returning the rear clamp assembly 82 rearwardly along the rails 44; the uncurler assembly is also moved rearwardly to its rearward position. Provided that the operator loading the frame at her station has pressed her pedal the frame assembly 30 is now moved to the other operator station.

Further details of the sewing machine 4 and chain cutter 9 and details of the drive to the turntable 500 are not given herein and these details per se form no part of the present invention.

FRAME ASSEMBLY 30 Each rail 44 of the frame assembly 30 is secured in a boss 46 (FIGS. 3 and 4) of the bearing member 34 and extends from the boss 46 to a vertical support member 48 or 49. The support members 48, 49 are connected by a horizontal rod 50 which maintains the support members in spaced relationship. The support member 48 comprises an outward extension 52 on which are mounted two vertically spaced cam follower rollers 54 arranged to run along a horizontal rail 54a (see also FIG. I) which is supported in the framework 2 to support the forward end of the frame assembly 30. A tape clamp 56 is also mounted on the extension 52 for pivotal movement about the axis of a pivot post 58. The support member 49 also comprises an outward extension 68 on which are mounted cam follower rollers 70 also arranged to run along the rail 54a. A tape clamp 72 corresponding to the tape clamp 56 is also mounted on the extension 68. Stop collars 74 are secured around each lower rail 44 adjacent the appropriate bosses 46, to limit rearward movement of the rear clamp assemblies 82. Metal tpaes 60,62 are secured in the tape clamps 56, 72 and are secured to drive means (not shown) arranged to move via the tapes 60, 62 the frame assembly 30 about the shaft 32 and along the rail 54a as required. Details of this drive means per se form no part of the present invention.

REAR CLAMP ASSEMBLY 82 The rear clamp assembly 82 of each frame 40, 42 comprises a block (FIG. 5) mounted for sliding movement on the rails 44 of its frame 40 or 42. The clamp assembly 82 also comprises an upper clamp 152 comprising an elongated member 153 secured to the block 150 and a lower clamp 154 comprising an elongated member 155. The lower clamp 154 is mounted for sliding movement relative to the upper clamp 152 by bearings 156 which are secured to the member 153; a rod 158 is secured to the member 155 by retaining blocks secured to the member 155; engagement of the blocks 160 with the bearings 156 limits the rearward movement of the clamp 154. A compression 7 spring 16% surrounding the rod 158 acts between one bearing 156 and one block 160 to urge the bottom clamp rearwardly relative to the top clamp. A front end portion of the upper member 153 has a small block 1600 secured thereto which comprises a vertically elongated generally U-shaped recess 161 for the reception of the garment material; and five pairs of co-axial transverse horizontal bores 162 are provided in the block 1606 on either side of the recess 16] and lead transversely into the recess 161. The clamp 152 also comprises five sharp pins 164 which are arranged to be received in bores 162. Forward edge portions 162a of the block 1600 slope upwardly (FIG. 5).

The pins 164 are mounted in an arm 164a which is secured to a crank arm 166 mounted for pivotal movement on the member 153 about a vertical axis by a pivot pin 168 to move the pins 164 transversely in the bores 162. A tension spring 174 acts between the crank arm 166 and a vertical peg 1740 which is secured in the member 153; the spring 174 acts in a sense to urge the pins 164 out of the bores 162. The clamp 152 also comprises a latch 172 pivoted on the member 153 by a pivot pin 173 and associated with the arm 166; the latch 172 comprises a vertically extending post 172a from which a horizontal rod 17% extends; a tension spring 173a acts between the latch 172 and a horizontal peg 173b secured in the member 153. The assembly also comprises an operating lever 180 which is pivotally mounted on the block 150 by a horizontal pivot pin 182. A cam roller 176 is mounted on the operating lever 180 and is adapted to engage a surface 180a of the arm 166 to move the arm 166 clockwise (FIG. 6) about the pin 168 and to limit anti-clockwise movement of the arm 166 about the pin 168.

A front end portion of the lower member 155 also comprises a U-shaped recess 184 one arm of which is extended to serve as a guide during loading of the garment and the clamp 154 comprises a bent pin 186. The arrangement of the bent pin 186 corresponds in many respects to that of the pins 164 and thus the clamp 154 comprises bores 188 on either side of the recess 184, a crank arm 190 in which the pin 186 is received, a latch 192, a tension spring 194 acting between the latch 192 and the member 155 and a tension spring, (hidden by the spring 194 in FIG. 7) acting between the arm 190 and the member 155, all arranged in a corresponding manner to the corresponding parts of upper clamp 152. The clamp 152 also comprises a vertical plate 196 which is secured to the crank arm 166 and has a set screw 196a secured therein which is adapted to engage a shoulder portion of the crank arm 190. The screw 196a engages the crank arm 190 at times so that the crank arm 190 moves clockwise (FIG. 6) with the crank arm 166, and the screw 196a also serves to limit anticlockwise (FIG. 6) movement of the crank arm 190.

Forward movement of the lower clamp 154 relative to the upper clamp 152 is limited by a post screw 199 running in a slot 199a in the member 155.

A cam roller 198a is mounted on a vertical pivot pin 198b on top of the block 150. Also a cam roller 19% is mounted on a horizontal pivot pin 199s carried by a carrier 199d on the block 150. Also a downwardly entending striker pin 1980 is secured to the block 150 and is adapted to operate the latch 192. The wire 202 is anchored to the block 150 by an anchor member 204.

In a first condition of the rear clamp assembly the clamp 154 is in its rearmost position with respect to the clamp 152 and the crank arms 166, 190 are in un latched positions in which the pins 164, 186 do not extend across the recesses 161, 184.

In the operation of the rear clamp assembly the operator places the edge portions E of the garment material in the recesses 161, 184 (see also FIG. 2). Then a light upward finger pressure on the lever moves the arms 166, via the cam roller 176 and the plate 196 to the positions shown in FIGS. 5 to 7; this moves the pins 164, 186 along the bores 162, 188 to impale the garment material for positive location thereof; the springs 173:1,194 cause the latches 172, 192 to latch behind the arms 166, 190 to hold them in position; the rear clamp assembly is now in a second condition. A mark in the garment material assists accurate loading of the rear clamp assembly 82.

In the operation of the apparatus when the rear clamp assembly 82 reaches the uncurler assembly 80, a stop 100 (FIG. 10) on the uncurler assembly 80 arrests the forward movement of the rod 172b of the latch 172, which causes the latch 172 to move about the pivot pin 173 to release the arm 166 which is now moved anticlockwise (FIG. 6) by the spring 174 about the pivot pin 168 to move the pins 164 out of the recess 161 to release the previously impaled garment material for feeding by the feed rollers 20. However at this time since the return movement of the plate 196 does not cause any movement of the arm 190 the material remains held by the lower clamp 154 which continues forwardly relative to the clamp 152 along the rod 158 'until it reaches a point adjacent the cup-shaped feed rollers 20 when the pin 198C arrests the forward movement of the latch 192 thus releasing the arm 190 and causing by the action of the appropriate spring the pin 186 to move out of the recess 184 to release the garment material from the lower clamp 154. The rear clamp assembly is now returned to its rearward position by the weight 200 acting on the block 150, ready to receive further garment edge portions. The spring 16% acting between the clamps 152, 154 returns the clamp 154 to its rearward position relative to the clamp 152.

TENSIONING WEIGHTS 200 The tensioning weights 200 of the two rear clamp assemblies of the frames 40, 42 are mounted for vertical up and down movement in a rear channel assembly 208 of the framework 2. The pulleys 206 are mounted for rotation on a horizontal shaft 210 which is mounted in the channel assembly 208. The weights 200 are steadied by wire runners 212 which extend vertically under tension along the channel assembly 208; each weight comprises a cradle 214 arranged to run on the appropriate runners 212. Each weight 200 comprises a vertical rod 216 secured in and extending upwardly from the cradle 214; individual weight members 218 are mounted in the cradle 214 on the rod 216, and the wire 202 is secured to an upper end portion of the rod 216. Small weights 2160 are mounted on the wire runners 212 near upper ends thereof and are restrained against downward movement beyond the position shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. In the upward movement of each weight 200, the weight 200 engages an appropriate one of the weights 216a which is free to move upwardly with the weight 200. This increases the tension on the garment edge portions near to the end of the seam. The number of individual weight members 218 is variable according to the nature of the garment material in question. A magnet 218a is secured on each cradle 214 and is adapted to operate reed switches (not shown) mounted in the channel assembly 218; the purpose of the reed switches will be described hereinafter.

UNCURLER ASSEMBLY 80 The uncurler assembly 80 of each frame 40, 42 comprises (FIGS. 10-12) a block 326 mounted for movement along the rails 44 and an uncurler device 310 comprising two blades 312 and a center plate 314, an

edge portion of the garment being held between each blade 312 and the center plate 314 at times in the operation of the apparatus (see also FIG. 2). The uncurler assembly 80 also comprises a fork assembly comprising two arms 316 each of which is pivotally mounted at 316a at a lower end portion thereof and which are urged apart by a spring 3161; so that the arms 316 urge the blades 312 towards the center plate 314, the blades 312 being secured to the arms 316 below the pivots 316a and the spring 316b being above the pivots 316a.

The uncurler assembly 80 also comprises a block 341 extending forwardly from the region of the blades 312. The block 341 has a small groove 348 provided in a lower surface thereof. The groove 348 ensures accurate location of the garment edge portions relative to the needle head 6. The block 341 has two coaxial transverse horizontal bores 348a therein one on either side of the groove 348 which lead transversely into the groove 348 at right angles thereto. The assembly comprises a sharp pin 344which is arranged to be received in the bores 348a.

The pin 344 is mounted on a vertical portion of an L- shaped arm 342 a horizontal portion of which is pivoted on an upward extension of the block 341 by a pin 349 for movement about a vertical axis to move the pin 344 transversely in the bores 348a. A finger plate 342a is secured to the arm 342. The assembly also comprises a cranked latch 343 pivoted to an extension of the block 341 at 343a; the latch 343 is associated with the arm 342 and a tension spring 345 acts between the latch 343 and the arm 342.

The uncurler assembly 80 also comprises a frame 346 which is adapted to engage portions of the garment extending forwardly of the edge portions E to hold such forwardly extending portions out of the way to prevent them fouling the rollers 20. The frame 346 is pivoted at 347 and an upper forward end portion of the frame 346 has a cam roller 347a mounted thereon. The frame 346 comprises a cross-bar 347b of narrow circular crosssection which engages the garment portions to be held out of the way and the cross-bar 347b is urged downwardly by the action of a tension spring 3470 which urges the frame 346 anticlockwise (FIG. 10). The spring 3470 engages a pulley 347d which lies on the axis of the pivot 347.

A stop screw 380 is provided to engage a corresponding fixed stop member (not shown) thereby to limit forward movement of the uncurler assembly 80. A drive pin 404 extends laterally from the block 326, and a cam roller 390 is mounted on a post 390a which extends vertically from the block 326. A locating peg 385 extends forwardly and is adapted to be received in a corresponding vertically extending slot (not shown) in the sewing machine 4 to ensure correct lateral alignment between the uncurler assembly 80 and the sewing machine 4.

In a first condition of the uncurler assembly the arm 342 is in an unlatched position in which the pin 344 does not extend across the groove 348.

In the operation of the apparatus the operator places one garment edge portion between opposed surfaces of one blade 312 and the center plate 314 by moving the material upwardly therebetween and another garment edge portion similarly between opposed surfaces of the other blade 312 and the center plate 314, the blades 312 moving away from the center plate 314 against the action of the spring 316b as the operator moves the material between the blades 312 and the plate 314; the garment edge portions are engaged by the blades 312 against the center plate 314. The operator holds the garment edge portions in engagement with the groove 348. Again accurate location of the garment edge portions is assisted by a mark provided in the material of the garment. The operator lifts the frame 346 clockwise (FIG. 10) during loading and then releases it to hold forwardly extending material out of the way.

The operator then moves the uncurler assembly to a second condition by moving the arm 342 via its finger plate 342a about the pivot 349 to move the pin 344 along the bores 348a across the groove 348 to impale the garment material for positive location thereof; a short portion of the garment material extends forwardly slightly beyond the block 341 to be engaged subsequently by the feed rollers of the sewing machine 4; the spring 345 causes the latch 343 to latch behind the horizontal portion of the arm 342 to hold the arm 342 in position.

When the uncurler assembly 80 is positioned adjacent the feed rollers 20 for the garment edge portions to be fed by the feed rollers 20 through the needle head 6, a stop (not shown) arrests the forward movement of the latch 343 which causes the latch 343 to move about its pivot 343a to release the horizontal portion of the arm 342 which is now moved by the spring 345 about the pivot pin 349, to move the pin 344 out of the groove 348 to release the material for feeding by the feed rollers 20; the material is fed from the needle head 6 to the rollers 8 by a thread chain which is left extending from the needle head 6 between the rollers 8 after each seaming operation. The material is uncurled as it is pulled between the blades 312 and the center plate 314. At this stage the uncurler blades 312 of course remain in position engaging the material against, the center plate 314. However the frame 346 has been moved upwardly away from the garment material about the pivot 347, as a result of engagement of the cam roller 347a with a fixed cam surface (not shown). When the seam is completed the uncurler assembly 80 is returned rearwardly, the frame 346 returning downwardly under the action of the spring 347c.

UNCURLER ADJUSTMENT The apparatus also comprises a device adapted to adjust the uncurler device 310 so that any misalignment between the edge portions being fed to the sewing machine 4 is corrected; the adjusting device operates in response to a signal from a sensing member 338 (FIG. 10) adapted to sense the misalignment.

The adjusting device comprises two solenoids 320 (FIG. 13) mounted in a top channel assembly 320a of the framework 2 and pivotally connected by rods 320b to opposite end portions of a link member 322 which is itself mounted between its end portions for pivotal movement about a vertical axis. A vertical spindle 324 extends downwardly from the link member 322 and is secured thereto lying along said vertical axis. A small support block 325 (see also FIG. 10) is secured to a lower end portion of the spindle 324 and has resilient leaf members 325a, 325b and 325c (not shown in FIG. 11), mounted therein. The central leaf member 3250 is received between set screws 326a secured in the arms 316 and each outer leaf is located on the outside of a set screw 326b secured in an arm 316; it will be realized that when the garment material is located in the uncurler assembly 80, the upper end portions of the arms 316 are closer together than shown in FIG. 11. A loaded plunger 327 urges the link member 322 into a central position.

Also mounted on the block 326 is a contact set (not shown) adapted to energize one or other of the solenoids 320 according to whether a center contact leaf of the contact set is in contact with one or other of a pair of side contact leaves. A vertical spindle 333 is mounted in the block 326 for movement about a vertical axis and an operating member (not shown) for the contact leaf is secured to an upper end portion of the spindle 333. A lower end portion of the spindle 333 is secured to the sensing member 338 a lower end portion 340 of which is arranged to lie in between the garment edge portions. The sensing member 338 comprises a horizontal portion 3380 which is secured to the spindle 333 and a portion 339:: which is pivotally connected to the portion 338a by a pivot 340a. A hook member 341a is secured to the portion 339a, and is adapted to be hooked over a pin 33% to support the sensing member 338 in a downwardly inclined position. A latch member 340b is mounted on the block 326 and is urged in an anticlockwise direction (FIG. 10) by a spring not shown. The latch member 34% is adapted to latch over a pin 3400 which extends outwardly from the member 338.

In the operation of the apparatus when the lengths of the two edge portions are equal the sensing member 338 rests in a mean position between the garment edge portions and the solenoids 320 are not actuated. Should the length of one edge portion be come greater than that of the other edge portion the shorter edge portion displaces the end portion 340 of the member 338 which thus causes the rotation of the spindle 333 and operation of the contact set; this causes actuation of an appropriate solenoid 320 which causes rotation of the block 325 via the link 322 and the spindle 324; this causes the leaf member 325a to cause the uncurler blade 312 on the same side as the shorter garment edge portion to press the edge portion against the center plate 314 more firmly and the appropriate leaf member 325b or 325a to cause the uncurler blade 312 on the opposite side to press the other edge portion less firmly against the center plate 314; this allows the slack in the longer edge portion to be taken up by the difference in resistance applied to the respective feeding movements and the member 338 then returns to its mean position, said solenoid 320 returning to its original position under the action of a spring (not shown) incorporated therein.

When the appropriate rear clamp assembly 82 reaches the uncurler assembly 80, the cam roller 1991;

of the rear clamp assembly 82 engages the sensing member 338 and earns it into engagement with the latch member 340b to enable the lower clamp 154 to move forward past the uncurler blades 312 to its position closely adjacent the rollers 20 without fouling the sensing member 338, both sensing and correction being at this time unnecessary. At the same time as the sensing member 388 is cammed upwardly the sensing device is electrically switched off. The latch member 34% releases the member 338 in the next forward movement of the uncurler assembly 80 on engaging a gate (not shown) provided for that purpose; the gate being free to pivot rearwardly but not forwardly.

UNCURLER BLADES 312 Each uncurler arm 312 (FIGS. 15 to 19) is generally L-shaped and the generally horizontal arm of the L comprises a plough edge portion 350 adapted to plough against the appropriate curled garment edge portion to uncurl it as the garment edge portion is fed between the uncurler arm 312 and the center plate 314. Inner and outer edges 350a, 35% of the edge portion 350 are sharp.

The plough edge portion 350 comprises an upwardly sloping, downwardly and outwardly chamfered, first portion 351, a step portion 352 which extends downwardly from the portion 351, a portion 353 which slopes upwardly from the step portion 352 and is downwardly and outwardly chamfered, and a terminal portion 354 which extends horizontally from the portion 353 and is also downwardly and outwardly chamfered. The portion 354 is at the same level as the upper end of the portion 351. The junctions between the portions 351,352,353 and 354 are all sharp.

The uncurler blade 312 also comprises a generally vertically extending leading edge portion 355 which extends upwardly to the portion 351, the junction 356 between the portion 355 and the portion 351 being sharp; the edge portion 355 is radiused (FIG. 17) on its inner side at 355a. The uncurler blade 312 also comprises a horizontal, upwardly and inwardly chamfered, lower edge portion 357 which has a rounded junction with the leading edge portion 355, and the arm 316 comprises a vertical outwardly chamfered trailing edge portion 358.

A horizontal pin 359 is secured in the center plate 314 and extends outwardly on either side thereof into holes 360 in the arms 316.

In a modification (indicated by chain lines in FIG. 15) the portion 351 is horizontal instead of upwardly sloping. Thus the portion 351 is at an angle of example between 0 and 30, e.g., about 20 to the horizontal according to the nature of the material to be uncurled.

' The chamfer on the portion 351 is for example between In the operation of the uncurler assembly a curled edge portion is fed leftwards (FIG. 15) between each blade 312 and the center plate 314 so that the plough edge portion 350 ploughs against the curled edge portion which extends above the edge 350. The uncurled edge portion is then constrained by passing under the pin 359 in engagement therewith to pass slightly downwardly as it passes from the portion 354 completely between the vertical arm of the L and the center plate 314.

It will be notedthat the ploughing action of'the edge portion 350 terminates at the left (FIG. 15) hand end of the portion 354 where it meets the vertical arm of the L and that the portion 354 being either horizontal or downwardly sloping to the left does not diverge away from the general direction of movement of the garment edge portions between the blades 312 and the center plate 314 which direction is horizontal.

CHANNEL ASSEMBLY 320a AND ASSOCIATED PARTS Each uncurler assembly 80 is moved towards and away from the sewing machine 4 in the operation of the apparatus by a shuttle assembly (not shown in detail) which is mounted in the channel assembly 320a of the apparatus and comprises a pair of vertical drive pins 402 (FIG. 14) which are arranged to engage the drive pin 404 of each assembly 80. The shuttle assembly is moved forwardly and. rearwardly as required in the operation of the apparatus by means (not shown) which forms no part of the present invention per se.

A cam track 600 is provided on the underside of the channel assembly 320a to hold the uncurler assembly 80 in required positions during garment loading and to locate the drive pin 404 accurately between the drive pins 402. The cam roller 390 of each uncurler assembly 80 isarranged to run in the cam track 600 and it will be realized that there is a central gap in the cam track 600 to permit the movement of the cam roller with the rest of the assembly 80 towards the sewing machine 4. It will also be realized that as the frame assembly 30 moves from one station to another, one uncurler assembly 80 moves from its loading station into engagement with the drive pins 402 and the other uncurler assembly 80 moves out of engagement with the drive pins 402 to its loading station. It will be noted that the cam track 600 follows a differently oriented path towards station B than it does towards station A; this is to give the operators the same clearance from the turntable 500 at each station.

The rail 54a is supported below the channel assembly 320a by bracket members 602.

Theapparatus comprises a gate assembly 700 mounted on the channel assembly 3200. The gate assembly 700 is adapted to control rearward movement of the rear clamp assemblies 82 and comprises three pivoted gate members 702, 703, 704 which are free to pivot forwardly but not rearwardly and are arranged to be engaged by the roller 198a of each clamp assembly 82 in the rearward movement of the clamp assembly 82. In the rearward movement of the clamp assembly 82 following completion of a garment seam the movement of the clamp assembly 82 is arrested by engagement of the roller 198a with the central gate member 703 which is located forwardly. of the gate members 702,704. The frame assembly 30 then moves to the appropriate station A or B and the roller 198a moves laterally off the gate member 703 onto the appropriate gate member 702, or 704 which now locates the rear 5 clamp assembly 82 in a convenient position for loading.

On return movement of the frame assembly 30 following loading the roller 198a moves laterally off the gate member 702 or 704 rearwardly of the gate assembly 700 to apply the appropriate tension to the garment edge portions. In the forward movement of the clamp assembly 82 the roller 198a cams the center gate member 703 upwardly about its pivot and thus the center gate member 703 does not restrict the forward movement of the clamp assembly 82.

REED SWITCHES The operation of the apparatus is controlled by reed switches (not shown) mounted in the top channel assembly 320a and a reed switch (not shown) mounted in the rear channel assembly 208. The reed switches mounted in the top channel assembly 320a are actuated by magnets (not shown) associated with the uncurler shuttle assembly and the reed switch mounted in the rear channel assembly 208 is actuated by the magnets 218a.

In the operation of the apparatus following completion of a seam, rearward movement of the uncurler shuttle assembly actuates a reed switch which stops operation of the sewing machine 4 and also actuates a reed switch which providing the foot pedal has been pressed initiates movement of the frame assembly 30 from one station to the other; at this time the sensing device is switched off. Commencement of forward movement of the uncurler shuttle assembly follows on the movement of the frame assembly 30 which has brought a loaded garment into alignment with the sewing machine 4 for seaming. The forward movement of the shuttle assembly immediately initiates via another reed switch commencement of operation of the sewing machine 4 and switching on of the sensing device.

The sensing device is switched off by downward movement of the appropriate weight 200 following complete release of the garment material from the appropriate rear clamp assembly 82. This switching off is caused by operation of the reed switch of the rear channel assembly 208 by the appropriate magnet 218a and is timed to co-incide with commencement of lifting of the sensing member 338 by the cam roller 199b; operation of this reed switch also initiates return movement of the uncurler shuttle assembly after a suitable delay to allow time for completion of the seam. As previously stated return movement of the shuttle assembly stops operation of the sewing machine and initiates movement of the frame assembly 30 providing the appropriate foot pedal has been operated.

In a modification when only one operator is employed the frame assembly returns automatically to the operator on rearward movement of the uncurler shuttle assembly following completion of a seam.

The apparatus is capable of providing a seam in contoured-edge portions as well as straight edge portions, since the arrangement of the uncurler device 310 ensures that the distance between the edges and the seam line is constant.

In a modification of the arrangement of the turntable 500 the baffle 500a provided at station A is movable out of the path of garments moving on the turntable 500 and a similar but fixed baffle (not shown) is provided at station B. The baffle 500a is arranged to move in response to. movement of the frame assembly 30 between the stations to ensure that garments loaded at one station A or B are rejected from the turntable 500 to the same station A or B.

In a further modification of the arrangement of the turntable 500, again the turntable 500 is arranged to convey the garment back to the station of the operator who loaded the garment. In this modification each time the frame assembly 30 moves from one operator station to the other the turntable 500 indexes 90. Alternatively it will be realized that the turntable indexing can be arranged so that each garment has a seam provided therein alternately by either operator.

The apparatus may also comprise a linear conveyor adapted to remove garments from the conveyor turntable as required. The linear conveyor leads off from the turntable at a position in plan view generally at 90 from each operator station.

It will be realized that if the textile material being seamed is not liable to curl, the uncurling means may be dispensed with and replaced by a simpler form of front clamp assembly.

It will be realized that in the operation of the apparatus the garment material depending from the appropriate uncurler assembly 80 and rear clamp assembly 82 hangs by gravity in a vertical plane; also the edge portions held in the uncurler assembly and rear clamp assembly are held in said plane at times along a substantial length of the edge portions, said length extending from the uncurler assembly to the rear clamp assembly.

In a modification the rear clamp assemblies are dispensed with and a garment being seamed is supported at the rear by the operator.

In another modification the impaling pins of the uncurler assembly and of the rear clamp assembly are replaced by other gripping means, e.g., friction pads adapted to engage the garment material.

We claim:

1. Apparatus adapted for use in seaming textile articles comprising a. means for supporting an article for seaming,

b. means for correcting in the operation of the apparatus misalignment occuring between portions of the article to be seamed together, the supporting means comprising i. a rear support assembly arranged to support rearward portions of the article to be seamed while forward portions thereof are seamed, and

. a front support assembly arranged to support forward portions of the article so that the portions to be seamed together extend between the two support assemblies and the front support assembly comprising a device adapted to uncurl curled edge portions for seaming together said edge portions, and c. means for moving the two support assemblies between rearward positions in which the article is loaded onto the support assemblies and forward positions in which the article is fed for seaming.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 comprising means for applying tension between the front and rear support assemblies and thus to the portions of the article to be seamed. 1

5 3. Apparatus according to claim I wherein the correcting means is adapted to cause varying resistance to be applied to respective feeding movements of the portions of the article to be seamed together to correct misalignment.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the supporting means is arranged to support the portions to be seamed together in a generally upright plane for seammg.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the support assemblies comprise impaling pins and the material of the article is held in the front and rear support assemblies during movement from the rearward positions to the forward positions by the impaling pins.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a sewing machine adapted to provide the seam.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the sewing machine comprises a needle head and opposed rollers adapted to feed material to be sewed to the needle head.

8. Apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a thermal seamer adapted to provide the seam.

9. Apparatus according to claim 1, comprising means for applying adhesive to provide the seam.

10. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the uncurler device comprises two opposed members adapted for a garment edge portion to move relative to the uncurler device between said members to uncurl the edge portion, and one of said members comprises a plough edge portion adapted in said relative movement to plough against the curled edge portion to uncurl it, said plough edge portion extending where its ploughing action terminates in a direction which does not diverge away from the general direction of said relative movement where said ploughing action terminates.

l 1. Apparatus adapted for use in seaming textile articles comprising a. means for supporting an article for seaming,

b. means for correcting in the operation of the apparatus misalignment occuring between portions of the article to be seamed together the supporting means comprising a frame assembly and c. means for moving the frame assembly between a plurality of stations, so that an article may be of the article to be seamed together,

c. an uncurler assembly adapted to uncurl curled edge portions for seaming together said edge portions, the uncurler assembly comprising two pairs of opposed surfaces and being adapted to uncurl the curled edge portions by each edge portion being fed between a pair of the opposed surfaces, and 

1. Apparatus adapted for use in seaming textile articles comprising a. means for supporting an article for seaming, b. means for correcting in the operation of the apparatus misalignment occuring between portions of the article to be seamed together, the supporting means comprising i. a rear support assembly arranged to support rearward poRtions of the article to be seamed while forward portions thereof are seamed, and ii. a front support assembly arranged to support forward portions of the article so that the portions to be seamed together extend between the two support assemblies and the front support assembly comprising a device adapted to uncurl curled edge portions for seaming together said edge portions, and c. means for moving the two support assemblies between rearward positions in which the article is loaded onto the support assemblies and forward positions in which the article is fed for seaming.
 1. Apparatus adapted for use in seaming textile articles comprising a. means for supporting an article for seaming, b. means for correcting in the operation of the apparatus misalignment occuring between portions of the article to be seamed together, the supporting means comprising i. a rear support assembly arranged to support rearward poRtions of the article to be seamed while forward portions thereof are seamed, and ii. a front support assembly arranged to support forward portions of the article so that the portions to be seamed together extend between the two support assemblies and the front support assembly comprising a device adapted to uncurl curled edge portions for seaming together said edge portions, and c. means for moving the two support assemblies between rearward positions in which the article is loaded onto the support assemblies and forward positions in which the article is fed for seaming.
 2. Apparatus according to claim 1 comprising means for applying tension between the front and rear support assemblies and thus to the portions of the article to be seamed.
 3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the correcting means is adapted to cause varying resistance to be applied to respective feeding movements of the portions of the article to be seamed together to correct misalignment.
 4. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the supporting means is arranged to support the portions to be seamed together in a generally upright plane for seaming.
 5. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the support assemblies comprise impaling pins and the material of the article is held in the front and rear support assemblies during movement from the rearward positions to the forward positions by the impaling pins.
 6. Apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a sewing machine adapted to provide the seam.
 7. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the sewing machine comprises a needle head and opposed rollers adapted to feed material to be sewed to the needle head.
 8. Apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a thermal seamer adapted to provide the seam.
 9. Apparatus according to claim 1, comprising means for applying adhesive to provide the seam.
 10. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the uncurler device comprises two opposed members adapted for a garment edge portion to move relative to the uncurler device between said members to uncurl the edge portion, and one of said members comprises a plough edge portion adapted in said relative movement to plough against the curled edge portion to uncurl it, said plough edge portion extending where its ploughing action terminates in a direction which does not diverge away from the general direction of said relative movement where said ploughing action terminates.
 11. Apparatus adapted for use in seaming textile articles comprising a. means for supporting an article for seaming, b. means for correcting in the operation of the apparatus misalignment occuring between portions of the article to be seamed together the supporting means comprising a frame assembly and c. means for moving the frame assembly between a plurality of stations, so that an article may be loaded onto the supporting means at one station while an article previously loaded at another station is being seamed.
 12. Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein there are two stations only. 